Character Analysis
Length: approximately 750 words (5 or 6 paragraphs)
I. CONTENT
Choose any character from any story from our short fiction textbook/reader (The World’s Greatest Short Stories) and write an argumentative analysis of that character. If you work with a main character, consider focusing on the change in that character or on the significance of a single event involving that character; if you choose a supporting character, then focus on that character’s role or function in the story. Strive for a distinctive, meaningful focus.
II. STRUCTURE
Obviously, you’ll want to demonstrate an understanding of form: introduction, thesis, body, transitions, conclusion. Commit to an argumentative and specific thesis early, organize your ideas clearly and visually, and use direct quotations from and references to specific sections of the story for evidence. Don’t summarize; argue.
III. STYLE
Write well. Not only should you be clear, but your word choice, sentence structure, and overall expression should be involved. Use precise, descriptive wording. Do not overemphasize the single idea (or simple) sentence. Have variety in sentence types, sentence beginnings, word order, and punctuation. The best style is a distinctive one—one that stands out when compared to twenty or so other writers.
IV. OTHER DIRECTIONS
1. Consider your audience to be skeptical; thus, offer evidence to support your ideas: direct quotation, analysis of those quotes, explanations connecting the quotes to your focus.
2. Document accurately, with a Work Cited and parenthetical reference (use the MLA style: examples in the textbook). A letter grade will be deducted for noticeable omissions or persistent punctuation errors in documentation.
3. Give your paper a strong title; your submitted essay should be no more than 1000 words, no less than 500 (at least 750 words preferred).
4. PROCEDURE: Submit your completed Composition #1 for evaluation to our D2L page, under Assessments/Assignments/Composition #1, as a Microsoft Word document.
Note: If you miss the posted due date (deadline), you must submit a typed, MLA formatted/documented essay on this same topic which must be at least 8 or 9 paragraphs, and you will have a letter-grade deducted for each class time that the paper is late.